Shoplifting Admissions Rose Among Americans

A new survey reveals that 30% of Americans now admit to shoplifting, an increase from 23% two years ago.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Property Crime

Shoplifting Admissions Rose Among Americans

Live Poll

Have rising grocery prices caused you to change your household shopping habits this year?

A survey of 2,000 Americans found that 30% of respondents admit to shoplifting. This figure represents a notable increase from the 23% of Americans who admitted to the behavior two years ago.

Why it matters

The rise in self-reported shoplifting is driven by inflation and financial strain impacting household budgets. As a result, many retailers are now scaling back the use of self-checkout lanes to combat retail shrink.

A LendingTree survey polled 2,000 Americans to determine their history with retail theft. Survey respondents identified bread and ground beef as items frequently taken from stores.

The players

LendingTree

LendingTree is a financial services company that conducts and publishes research on consumer habits and economic trends.

The details

Respondents cited economic pressures and inflation as primary reasons for taking items without payment. Retailers have responded to these rising concerns by reducing the number of self-checkout lanes available to customers.

The percentage of Americans admitting to shoplifting was recorded in 2026.
Data comparing the current figure to past shoplifting rates dates back to 2024.

Legal Context

This reported rise in retail theft follows a pattern set by the industry-wide move to limit self-service checkout options due to concerns over inventory loss. Retailers continue to adjust store operations to mitigate losses associated with property crime.

Consumers may encounter fewer self-checkout options during their next shopping trip as stores modify their security protocols. These shifts in store policy could lead to longer wait times at traditional registers.

The takeaway

Rising shoplifting rates underscore the impact of current inflation on consumer behavior and retail operations. Shoppers should be prepared for more restricted self-service environments as businesses prioritize inventory security.